A new middleweight 600 class CBR sport bike featuring sleek styling and a four-cylinder engine tuned for high torque and all-round excitement, plus well balanced high-quality chassis and optional ABS.

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Sometimes, if you want the best solution, you have to think outside the box. In fact, sometimes it’s best if you throw the whole concept of a box away. That’s what our engineers did with the CBR650F. Traditional displacement classes went 600-750-1000. But who says you had to stick to that? An extra 50cc is going to make the CBR650F ABS a lot more fun for a lot more riders. It lets us fatten up the powerband, but still keep the bike light and nimble.

A fun ride at a great price, the CBR650F’s inline-four engine is specifically tuned for low-to-midrange torque, delivering a powerband that’s suited for a wide range of riding styles. Weekday commuter, weekend sport riding, long trips, short hauls, solo or with a passenger—the CBR650F does it all.

So who cares for labels and pigeonholes anyway? Not the CBR650F ABS. A great bike knows no limits. Especially not an extra 50cc.

Sporting middleweights have always found starring roles within Honda’s range thanks to the poise and usability produced by their combination of low mass and strong engine performance. Whereas the trend recently has been toward ever-larger capacity mid-sized machines, Honda decided on a different direction to produce a true four-cylinder sporty middleweight that offers high style and specification, an involving easy-to-use riding experience and real value for money.

The new CBR650F is brand new from the wheels up. Based on the same platform as the naked streetfighter-styled CB650F, it’s been designed from inception by a young team of Honda engineers as a sports-oriented bike, usable and enjoyable in the real world by riders of all backgrounds and experience, in environments from busy urban streets to twisting back roads.

Teishiro Goto, Large Project Leader CBR650F:

“The CBR650F is designed to conquer corners with ease and also be great around town. It offers a sporting edge but makes no compromise to rider lifestyle – and is a real pleasure to look at. More and more of our customers, novice or veteran, are drawn to such a distinct identity and riding feel and it gives me great pleasure to welcome them to Honda’s newest CBR.”

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2. CBR650F ABS Model Overview

The DOHC 649cc four-cylinder engine powering the CBR650F is completely new and engineered to deliver high torque through the low-to-mid rpm range, especially below 4,000 RPM.

The development team included many engineers in their twenties, selected to produce a bike with a focus on the younger customer. They decided early on that chasing peak power at redline was off their agenda. Strong acceleration from a standing start, low/mid range torque and mid-gear roll-on throttle response were targeted as the essential elements.

Crisp pick-up above 6,000 RPM and – for the sake of reduced running costs – economical cruising at highway speeds was also a focus. The engine’s also been designed to look good, with no external plumbing obscuring its lines. Sitting relatively far forward in the chassis for optimal weight distribution, the engine is truly at the heart of the machine.

The CBR650F’s steel twin-spar frame has a tuned rigidity balance along with cast pivot plates and aluminum swingarm. The rear shock works directly on the swingarm and is matched to a 41mm telescopic front fork; the wheels are a new six-spoke design. Twin 320mm wavy front and a single 240mm rear disc deliver the stopping power with 2-channel ABS fitted as standard.

A low center of gravity, slim feel and high-set clip-on handlebars give excellent control and confidence. And the CBR650F’s sharp lines are enhanced by an effective but minimal full fairing that shows off the engine to the maximum.

Bore and stroke is set at 67mm x 46mm. Optimization of con-rod length has decreased the side-force on each piston and ‘breathing’ holes in the crankcase walls between the journals reduce pumping losses as rpm rises. The pistons were developed with Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) and asymmetric skirts minimize bore contact and reduce friction. Ferrous spines on the outer surface of the cylinder sleeves reduce oil consumption (and friction) with improved heat transfer.

A silent SV cam chain reduces frictional losses by using a Vanadium coating on its pins and the water pump – designed with CAE study of water flow – is compact and efficient, reducing drag.

Peak power of 86 HP / 64kW arrives at 11,000 RPM with peak torque of 46 lb ft / 63Nm at 8,000 RPM. The engine is smooth at all rpm, with distinct inline four-cylinder character and resonance.

Internal water channeling from cylinder head to cylinders does away with a great deal of the exterior hoses normally required and the motor shows off its minimal, elegant beauty and functional style. The layout of the oil filter (behind the engine) and oil cooler (front left) plus internal oil-ways further enhance the visual appeal and has enabled use of an evocative right side-swept 4-2-1 exhaust.

PGM-FI fuel injection is fed through a down-flow air-box and narrow 30mm high-velocity funnels, with intake gas-flow routed in as straight a line as possible. It operates with information from four separate throttle body sensors on 32mm throttle bores for crisp and accurate throttle response; Keihin KN7SJ injectors have replaced the Denso units used on the CB600F. Careful siting, position and angle of the throttle bodies allows a narrow frame width, improving manageability for the rider.

To deliver good fuel economy at constant throttle (cruising at higher speeds) short valve overlap timing works with a specific ignition map; fuel consumption of 49.4 MPG gives you a range exceeding 210 miles per tank on the CBR650F.

The steel diamond frame uses twin 64mm x 30mm elliptical spars. Its rigidity balance has been specifically tuned – it’s much stiffer around the headstock and more ‘flexible’ in the spar sections – to deliver the desired handling characteristics and level of rider feedback. Rake is set at 25.5° with trail of 101mm and wheelbase of 1,450mm. Curb weight comes in at 461 pounds for the CBR650F when it’s full of fuel and ready to ride.

The swingarm pivot plate is forged then welded together, while the gravity die-cast aluminum swingarm features a curvaceous shape that arcs over the muffler on the right. Adjustable for 7-stage spring preload the single-tube monoshock operates directly on the swingarm.

The shock and 41mm telescopic fork have been developed to work directly with the CBR650F frame’s performance parameters to provide supple, neutral control in all conditions. Both feature firmer spring rate (with damping to suit) compared directly with the CB650F to match the faired bike’s more sports-oriented focus.

Cast aluminium six-spoke wheels wear 120/70-17 and 180/55-17 front and rear radial tires. The wavy discs use the same manufacturing technique as the twin-cylinder NC750 series; the 240mm rear is formed within a 320mm front, saving material (and ultimately cost) to the customer. The two-piston front calipers and single-piston rear are managed by standard-fitment 2-channel ABS, ensuring safe and consistent stopping in all weathers.

A ‘Mass Forward’ stance gives the CBR650F its sleek and aggressive appearance. The dynamically curved fuel tank and chiseled fairing add a strong identity, as does the stubby, shrink-wrapped tail unit. Hinged at the back the tank allows easy access to the cylinder head for maintenance. Both taillight and front position light are LED.

The riding position is on the relaxed side of sporty and pillions get an ample seat and strap for security. Seat height is 810mm and a narrow middle profile helps ground reach.

The dash comprises twin large digital screens. On the left are the rev-counter and speedometer; on the right are a fuel gauge, clock, odometer and the warning lights. Both sides are lit by a white back light. A compact ‘wave’ design ignition key offers improved security and reduced chance of breakage.

CBR650F Ride Review: You can find my thoughts and opinions on riding the CBR650F here.

CBR650F Exhaust
Power, style, and an unmistakable growl – you get all three with the four-into-two-into-one exhaust system on the new CBR650F.

Six-Speed Transmission
Smooth, nearly seamless shifts and more gear ratios to match the way you want to ride: those are two of the characteristics that make this Honda so much fun to ride.

Twin-Spar Steel Frame
A steel frame is strong, but not too rigid for the needs of the everyday rider. With a 57-inch wheelbase, the CBR650F is also quick and responsive—just what a machine in this class should be.

649cc DOHC Engine
Engines like this are what Honda does best. The four-cylinder design makes it smoother and faster revving than most twins, and offers ample low to midrange torque, and plenty of power through the entire rev range.

Rear Disc Brake
A 240mm hydraulic disc at the rear complements the twin front discs for plenty of stopping power.

4.5-Gallon Fuel Tank
You asked; we listened. A bike as versatile as the CBR650F needs plenty of range, and the 4.5-gallon fuel tank provides just that.

Clip-On Handlebars
Clip-on bars are an integral part of supersport bikes and for the CBR650F, they put you in a riding position that’s both sporty and comfortable enough for longer trips.

LCD Multi Meter
In addition to the speedometer and digital tachometer, the CBR650F’s instrumentation also includes clock, trip meter, and fuel gauge.

Dual Disc Brakes / Optional ABS
Here’s an area where plenty of other bikes would scrimp, but not the CBR650F. Dual 320mm front discs offer excellent stopping power under a wide range of operations. Honda’s ABS system is available for more confident stopping in challenging conditions.

Supersport-Style Front Cowl
The new CBR650F may be a terrific value, but it still offers plenty of style. Check out its CBR600RR-inspired front cowl – just enough bodywork to cut the wind blast and give it a cool look. This information and more available at PowerSports.Honda.com.